Okay ~ so I've got this idea as to how we can help Chris & Tami out during this time. In talking to my sister I've discovered that Chris probably won't be able to go back to work until July at the earliest. Tam continues to work for Todd Dickey in Norfolk, about two and a half hours away from Lincoln, but there are a lot of trips back and forth...and gas is expensive (as if I have to tell you that...) It also means a lot of eating out that they can't afford (have you eaten at a hospital lately? It adds up!) So...with all this I've thought of ways we can help them out from across the miles....
If you'd like to send Chris an e-mail...click on the linked title above to send it through St. Elizabeth's -OR- send it to: husband_21dad_24@hotmail.com
If you'd like to send Chris a card with your get-well wishes you can send it to:
St. Elizabeth's Hospital
555 S. 70th Street
Lincoln, NE 68510
Attn: Burn Center
Chris Graham Rm 135
If you have the resources, it would be great to shower them with gift cards for the necessities. Cards from gas stations, McDonalds, Applebees, Starbucks, Hy-Vee groceries, Pizza Hut, Subway, Grisanti's, Valentino's, Qdoba, Burger King, Wild Oats...I know they don't sound like the necessities, but when you're away from home and having to eat they become necessary. I know Tam has gone "grocery shopping" and picked up bread and peanut butter & jelly, cereal (which she then asks for an extra milk with Chris's meals to eat), and stuff like that, but if food could just be taken care of it would be such a blessing.
You can send it to the address above for now ~ if it changes I'll make note of it here and via my e-mail updates.
If you can't send a gift card or whatever...please just drop them a quick e-mail or card and let them know you're praying.
Also...if you're a moto-crosser you can help out Tami's employer by buying via e-bay from powersportsnation. here's a link to his store: http://stores.ebay.com/powersportsnation (tell 'em Tami's sister sent ya!)
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!
God bless you!!
Trayc
Friday, April 27, 2007
The prayer request list...Part 1
If you click on the linked title above, it will take you to the burn center page for St. Elizabeth's where Chris is now admitted.
Here are the prayer requests Tam & Chris have shared via their e-mails...in some instances I'm including the entire e-mail so you can see what's going on when it's written....
********************************
From 4/27... (Chris)
To be specific pray that I will handle the surgery well and that the Doc will be able to find the problem, correct it and that my healing will be more progressive because of it. Pray for Tami she is having a hard time handling this, and at first when they transfered me here to St. E's it was like pulling the rug out from under me (stole that from my father-in-law). I am adjusting better now, I feel good other than my foot hurts a little. I did have my hopes up on getting home sooner, I just have to put it all in the Lord's hands and remember He sees the big picture
From 4/25... (Tami)
Pray that Chris will be able to do ok with the pain, they are definitely going to be drugging him up. That I will be able to be a source of strength for him and I know that strength has to come from the Lord because humanly speaking I can't do it. I cry just thinking about what my husband is going to go through. There is a lot to think about and in it all the Lord is in control pray that we will trust him and see Him in the midst of all this. Thanks and once again know that your prayers mean so much.
From early 4/25... (Tami)
They are going to try and treat the wound so the ankle will clear up. Otherwise the surgeon will have to remove tissue around the ankle. They really don't want to do that because it makes the skin graft more challenging to heal. Please pray for Chris as he will probably be experiencing more agressive treatment to his foot. Right now the wound is 3 1/2 x 7 inches. Chris was talking to the doctor that told him they were moving and Chris recalled what Pastor Greg told him on Monday, "expect the unexpected" We are seeking the Lord moment by moment and appreciate your prayers.
From 4/24... (Tami)
Pray that we will learn to let go and let God. Chris a very responsible and hard working man and it is very hard for him to receive from others what he feels he should be providing. Pray that he will see that God loves him in many ways and one way is through receiving what HE gives. You have no idea how much it has meant to us to receive the love from all of you. Last Thursday we were sitting outside in the sun (the first time Chris had been outside for 13 days) and Chris expressed how difficult it was to process all the love that he had received from so many and yet means so much. I think that we are just seeing the tip of the iceberg. We thank you again for remembering us in prayer. Last Sunday Joe Metcalf asked me if we felt prayed over. You have no idea how much your prayers have sustained and covered us in all of this process. Lord give us eyes to see and a heart to receive - YOU receive our praise!
From 4/20... (Tami)
The surgeon just came out and said that he took a good 2 inches on the left side and about a H1/2 inch on the right side of the wound. The ankle bone is clear of the infection so far. He said he would see him on Monday. Please pray that Chris's foot would clear of the infection yet in his foot and ankle area. Also pray for his state of mind. He has been pretty up but is concerned about his foot. Thank you for praying.
From 4/12... (Tami)
(This is from the first surgery...I'm including the part of the e-mail Tam talks about how God has answered some prayers....what an encouraging reminder that God does hear and answer prayer...)
Then this is where I believe that the Lord spoke to him. The Dr. was perplexed as to where the source of all this infection was coming from. He remembered that we had said that it started in the foot and he saw that Chris' foot was considerably worse than the evening before. He went into the foot and found a very large absess that spread from the top of his foot to the side and ankle. The doctor removed the dead tissue on the top of his foot and will leave it open for a while and then do a skin graft later. He is feeling great.
I know without a doubt that God intervened and prompted the doctor to look at the foot. Bob Smith stopped in today and said that that absess would have blocked the antibiotics from getting to the infection. So we are very hopeful that we are making some head way. We can't thank you enough for your prayers. Even going through each day has been in a way that God's hand has been on Chris.
Please continue to pray for recovery. Chris is getting a little anxious about getting back on his feet and getting back to work. But without a doubt God's is in control no matter what the outcome and He is to be praised because His Hand reaches to realms far beyond this earth. He is our refuge and strength in time of trouble and all the time!!
****************************
That's all the farther I'll go back for now....thank you for praying for my sister and her husband and family! Being so far away is only easier knowing God is a breath away. Thanks and love to you all....
PS Chris' email is "husband_21dad_24@hotmail.com" if you would like to send him note.
Here are the prayer requests Tam & Chris have shared via their e-mails...in some instances I'm including the entire e-mail so you can see what's going on when it's written....
********************************
From 4/27... (Chris)
To be specific pray that I will handle the surgery well and that the Doc will be able to find the problem, correct it and that my healing will be more progressive because of it. Pray for Tami she is having a hard time handling this, and at first when they transfered me here to St. E's it was like pulling the rug out from under me (stole that from my father-in-law). I am adjusting better now, I feel good other than my foot hurts a little. I did have my hopes up on getting home sooner, I just have to put it all in the Lord's hands and remember He sees the big picture
From 4/25... (Tami)
Pray that Chris will be able to do ok with the pain, they are definitely going to be drugging him up. That I will be able to be a source of strength for him and I know that strength has to come from the Lord because humanly speaking I can't do it. I cry just thinking about what my husband is going to go through. There is a lot to think about and in it all the Lord is in control pray that we will trust him and see Him in the midst of all this. Thanks and once again know that your prayers mean so much.
From early 4/25... (Tami)
They are going to try and treat the wound so the ankle will clear up. Otherwise the surgeon will have to remove tissue around the ankle. They really don't want to do that because it makes the skin graft more challenging to heal. Please pray for Chris as he will probably be experiencing more agressive treatment to his foot. Right now the wound is 3 1/2 x 7 inches. Chris was talking to the doctor that told him they were moving and Chris recalled what Pastor Greg told him on Monday, "expect the unexpected" We are seeking the Lord moment by moment and appreciate your prayers.
From 4/24... (Tami)
Pray that we will learn to let go and let God. Chris a very responsible and hard working man and it is very hard for him to receive from others what he feels he should be providing. Pray that he will see that God loves him in many ways and one way is through receiving what HE gives. You have no idea how much it has meant to us to receive the love from all of you. Last Thursday we were sitting outside in the sun (the first time Chris had been outside for 13 days) and Chris expressed how difficult it was to process all the love that he had received from so many and yet means so much. I think that we are just seeing the tip of the iceberg. We thank you again for remembering us in prayer. Last Sunday Joe Metcalf asked me if we felt prayed over. You have no idea how much your prayers have sustained and covered us in all of this process. Lord give us eyes to see and a heart to receive - YOU receive our praise!
From 4/20... (Tami)
The surgeon just came out and said that he took a good 2 inches on the left side and about a H1/2 inch on the right side of the wound. The ankle bone is clear of the infection so far. He said he would see him on Monday. Please pray that Chris's foot would clear of the infection yet in his foot and ankle area. Also pray for his state of mind. He has been pretty up but is concerned about his foot. Thank you for praying.
From 4/12... (Tami)
(This is from the first surgery...I'm including the part of the e-mail Tam talks about how God has answered some prayers....what an encouraging reminder that God does hear and answer prayer...)
Then this is where I believe that the Lord spoke to him. The Dr. was perplexed as to where the source of all this infection was coming from. He remembered that we had said that it started in the foot and he saw that Chris' foot was considerably worse than the evening before. He went into the foot and found a very large absess that spread from the top of his foot to the side and ankle. The doctor removed the dead tissue on the top of his foot and will leave it open for a while and then do a skin graft later. He is feeling great.
I know without a doubt that God intervened and prompted the doctor to look at the foot. Bob Smith stopped in today and said that that absess would have blocked the antibiotics from getting to the infection. So we are very hopeful that we are making some head way. We can't thank you enough for your prayers. Even going through each day has been in a way that God's hand has been on Chris.
Please continue to pray for recovery. Chris is getting a little anxious about getting back on his feet and getting back to work. But without a doubt God's is in control no matter what the outcome and He is to be praised because His Hand reaches to realms far beyond this earth. He is our refuge and strength in time of trouble and all the time!!
****************************
That's all the farther I'll go back for now....thank you for praying for my sister and her husband and family! Being so far away is only easier knowing God is a breath away. Thanks and love to you all....
PS Chris' email is "husband_21dad_24@hotmail.com" if you would like to send him note.
The latest e-mail update...
Here is an e-mail I sent out today udpating everyone on Chris's situation...
I haven't updated in a while...But there's been so much going on with Chris and his foot.
I'll update the basics and then copy the latest e-mail from him at the end...
The last update was that Chris was going in for another surgery on April 20th. Well, from what I understand, they took about 2" off the left side and 3" off the right side of his foot. At first they seemed very optimistic about the results. By Tuesday they were saying that if it continued to look good, the swelling stayed down, and the infection started to subside like they hoped Chris would be able to go home for a month with in-home nurse care for the (now) wound, and then come back for the skin grafts toward the end of May. However, a day later they decided the infection simply wasn't getting under control like they would like. Because of this they wanted him in a more sterile environment and put in the order to have him transferred to St. Elizabeth's burn unit (room 134) for further treatment. This is also a proactive move in that the skin grafts would probably have to be done here anyway.
Tami sent a picture of Chris's foot yesterday ~ if you can imagine, the top of his foot looks almost unreal (Scott & I both said it looks like a Hollywood horror flick makeup job) with approximately the size of an 8 oz. steak missing from the top of his foot. The area is blackened in spots and obviously infected. (for someone who doesn't do well with horror flicks it was not an easy picture to look at for any length of time. Knowing there are people who are curious and trying to imagine what it looks like, if you'd like to see it e-mail me back and I'll send it in a separate e-mail ~ I don't want to attach it here because most people have pictures show in their e-mails automatically and not everyone cares to see it.)
This is definitely starting to wear on my sister. Jake, the youngest, is still at home in Norfolk during the week for school ~ he was in Lincoln yesterday for a soccer game (God's amazing attention to detail....), and Tam did get to see him play, but then only got to talk to him for about 5 minutes after before Jake had to get on the bus to head back home. When I called her she answered the phone in tears. (And, although we are cry-ers, this was more indicative of the toll this whole thing is taking on my sister than anything else.) Please continue to pray for them ~ in every report there is an amazing instance of God doing something in their lives...and it's pretty awesome.
So, with all that, here's the latest from Chris ~ an e-mail I received today....Thank you all for praying! If you'd like to help in some way, please contact me and I'll share with you an idea I have that is making this a little easier to be so far away...thanks again!
Dear Family & Friends,
Well a little update on what's happening, today the Doc looked at my foot and felt that the swelling hadn't changed, maybe even increased a little, plus some red is going up my leg. He suspects a pocket of infection somewhere around my ankle. So tomorrow morning I go in for another surgery, he said he will start out small and he wants to stay away from my ankle bone because that complicates the skin graft process. But he will have to remove any bad tissue that may have tunneled to wherever. I would appreciate your prayers, I know you have been faithful in that, since I checked in the hospital, and we appreciate it very much. To be specific pray that I will handle the surgery well and that the Doc will be able to find the problem, correct it and that my healing will be more progressive because of it. Pray for Tami she is having a hard time handling this, and at first when they transfered me here to St. E's it was like pulling the rug out from under me (stole that from my father-in-law). I am adjusting better now, I feel good other than my foot hurts a little. I did have my hopes up on getting home sooner, I just have to put it all in the Lord's hands and remember He sees the big picture.
Thanks to everyone,
Chris
I'm going to be posting a list of prayer requests Tami & Chris have asked in their e-mails on my blog ~ http://trayctalks.blogspot.com ~ check it regularly since I sometimes go there to write about what's going on without filling your in-box with multiple e-mails. Likewise, if you would like to NOT receive these updates please let me know and I'll remove your name...thank you!! God bless...be on the lookout for where He's working today, okay?
Trayc
Whether we can mentally grasp what God is doing isn't the task we have at hand...whether we are available to see God moving is the question we must ask ourselves as we go about our daily tasks.
I haven't updated in a while...But there's been so much going on with Chris and his foot.
I'll update the basics and then copy the latest e-mail from him at the end...
The last update was that Chris was going in for another surgery on April 20th. Well, from what I understand, they took about 2" off the left side and 3" off the right side of his foot. At first they seemed very optimistic about the results. By Tuesday they were saying that if it continued to look good, the swelling stayed down, and the infection started to subside like they hoped Chris would be able to go home for a month with in-home nurse care for the (now) wound, and then come back for the skin grafts toward the end of May. However, a day later they decided the infection simply wasn't getting under control like they would like. Because of this they wanted him in a more sterile environment and put in the order to have him transferred to St. Elizabeth's burn unit (room 134) for further treatment. This is also a proactive move in that the skin grafts would probably have to be done here anyway.
Tami sent a picture of Chris's foot yesterday ~ if you can imagine, the top of his foot looks almost unreal (Scott & I both said it looks like a Hollywood horror flick makeup job) with approximately the size of an 8 oz. steak missing from the top of his foot. The area is blackened in spots and obviously infected. (for someone who doesn't do well with horror flicks it was not an easy picture to look at for any length of time. Knowing there are people who are curious and trying to imagine what it looks like, if you'd like to see it e-mail me back and I'll send it in a separate e-mail ~ I don't want to attach it here because most people have pictures show in their e-mails automatically and not everyone cares to see it.)
This is definitely starting to wear on my sister. Jake, the youngest, is still at home in Norfolk during the week for school ~ he was in Lincoln yesterday for a soccer game (God's amazing attention to detail....), and Tam did get to see him play, but then only got to talk to him for about 5 minutes after before Jake had to get on the bus to head back home. When I called her she answered the phone in tears. (And, although we are cry-ers, this was more indicative of the toll this whole thing is taking on my sister than anything else.) Please continue to pray for them ~ in every report there is an amazing instance of God doing something in their lives...and it's pretty awesome.
So, with all that, here's the latest from Chris ~ an e-mail I received today....Thank you all for praying! If you'd like to help in some way, please contact me and I'll share with you an idea I have that is making this a little easier to be so far away...thanks again!
Dear Family & Friends,
Well a little update on what's happening, today the Doc looked at my foot and felt that the swelling hadn't changed, maybe even increased a little, plus some red is going up my leg. He suspects a pocket of infection somewhere around my ankle. So tomorrow morning I go in for another surgery, he said he will start out small and he wants to stay away from my ankle bone because that complicates the skin graft process. But he will have to remove any bad tissue that may have tunneled to wherever. I would appreciate your prayers, I know you have been faithful in that, since I checked in the hospital, and we appreciate it very much. To be specific pray that I will handle the surgery well and that the Doc will be able to find the problem, correct it and that my healing will be more progressive because of it. Pray for Tami she is having a hard time handling this, and at first when they transfered me here to St. E's it was like pulling the rug out from under me (stole that from my father-in-law). I am adjusting better now, I feel good other than my foot hurts a little. I did have my hopes up on getting home sooner, I just have to put it all in the Lord's hands and remember He sees the big picture.
Thanks to everyone,
Chris
I'm going to be posting a list of prayer requests Tami & Chris have asked in their e-mails on my blog ~ http://trayctalks.blogspot.com ~ check it regularly since I sometimes go there to write about what's going on without filling your in-box with multiple e-mails. Likewise, if you would like to NOT receive these updates please let me know and I'll remove your name...thank you!! God bless...be on the lookout for where He's working today, okay?
Trayc
Whether we can mentally grasp what God is doing isn't the task we have at hand...whether we are available to see God moving is the question we must ask ourselves as we go about our daily tasks.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
The Foot Book
hey everyone ~ I received an e-mail from my Brother-in-law, Chris, tonight giving an update as to what's going on since his last surgery. I thought I'd just paste it here so you'd know from him how to pray. And...to be encouraged by him as well. He's a pretty amazing guy.
Here it is:
To All special people who have kept me in there thoughts and prayers,
Yes that's you, if you have received this e-mail you are special to me and I
thank you for your support in prayer and thought. It's Thursday the 19th I
reference the date mostly for myself because the days have seem to slip
together. The Doc came in yesterday and looked at my foot, wound He was
pleased with the progress. My upper leg looks good, pretty much normal, the
incision looks real good. The swelling and redness is pretty much down to
just above my ankle, the right side of my ankle is particularly tender and
discolored, the other side is not as and the color is better. Doc has me
scheduled for surgery Friday morning at 7:30 am, he thinks that ankle area
needs some more work, so we will see. I think once he cleans that area out
I will see more improvement, He is a sharp duede and I'lll leave that up to
him. What would we do without gifted surgeons like him? I have had
execellent care at this hospital, there are many good people here. I'm
filling my time in with; reading my Bible, reading a book that Josh gave me,
(The Last Season) playing my guitar, looking at magazines, drawing pictures
for my nephrew, watching some t.v. answering e-mails and sending e-mails,
eating snacks people have brought, visiting when I get visitors, and that is
about it. Today Tami and I went outwside for awhile, the first time in about
13 days or so for me, it was very nice. Well that's about it for now, thanks
again for your many prayers, I know they have been heard and results have
been seen because of them. We serve a mighty God who loves and cares very
much for us. I was reading Psalm 16 the other day and came across this,
verse 8-"I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right
hand I shall not be moved" I thought about that for a while and I pondered
what does "at His right hand" mean. Being in this position that I am, it is
hard to do many normal activities, I need to keep my leg elevated most of
the time, so when I need something it needs to be within reach and you learn
what things are most needed within that reach. So to have the Lord at our
right hand,, means we have all that He has available to Him,(all His
blessings, promises, guidance, strength, etc.) at our readily accessible
reach, all we have to do is ask. What an awesome thing to comprehend.
Later,
Chris
Thank you all for praying! I so appreciate the prayers you are sending up for my family and for me. Please know you are all in our prayers as well. In fact, if there's anything specific we can be praying for, please let me know via e-mail or in the comments section here.
God bless you!
"And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient
for you, for power is perfected in weakness.' Most gladly, therefore, I will
rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
Therefore, I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses,
with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake, for when I am weak,
then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12: 9-10
Here it is:
To All special people who have kept me in there thoughts and prayers,
Yes that's you, if you have received this e-mail you are special to me and I
thank you for your support in prayer and thought. It's Thursday the 19th I
reference the date mostly for myself because the days have seem to slip
together. The Doc came in yesterday and looked at my foot, wound He was
pleased with the progress. My upper leg looks good, pretty much normal, the
incision looks real good. The swelling and redness is pretty much down to
just above my ankle, the right side of my ankle is particularly tender and
discolored, the other side is not as and the color is better. Doc has me
scheduled for surgery Friday morning at 7:30 am, he thinks that ankle area
needs some more work, so we will see. I think once he cleans that area out
I will see more improvement, He is a sharp duede and I'lll leave that up to
him. What would we do without gifted surgeons like him? I have had
execellent care at this hospital, there are many good people here. I'm
filling my time in with; reading my Bible, reading a book that Josh gave me,
(The Last Season) playing my guitar, looking at magazines, drawing pictures
for my nephrew, watching some t.v. answering e-mails and sending e-mails,
eating snacks people have brought, visiting when I get visitors, and that is
about it. Today Tami and I went outwside for awhile, the first time in about
13 days or so for me, it was very nice. Well that's about it for now, thanks
again for your many prayers, I know they have been heard and results have
been seen because of them. We serve a mighty God who loves and cares very
much for us. I was reading Psalm 16 the other day and came across this,
verse 8-"I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right
hand I shall not be moved" I thought about that for a while and I pondered
what does "at His right hand" mean. Being in this position that I am, it is
hard to do many normal activities, I need to keep my leg elevated most of
the time, so when I need something it needs to be within reach and you learn
what things are most needed within that reach. So to have the Lord at our
right hand,, means we have all that He has available to Him,(all His
blessings, promises, guidance, strength, etc.) at our readily accessible
reach, all we have to do is ask. What an awesome thing to comprehend.
Later,
Chris
Thank you all for praying! I so appreciate the prayers you are sending up for my family and for me. Please know you are all in our prayers as well. In fact, if there's anything specific we can be praying for, please let me know via e-mail or in the comments section here.
God bless you!
"And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient
for you, for power is perfected in weakness.' Most gladly, therefore, I will
rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
Therefore, I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses,
with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake, for when I am weak,
then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12: 9-10
Friday, April 13, 2007
Bro-to-go!
Hello! Well, my heart is much lighter than the last time I wrote. Let me fill you in on what has happened since Wednesday when I posted about Chris, my Brother-in-law.
Wednesday night the surgeon came in to look over Chris's leg ~ the infection had spread up to his derriere, and no antibiotic was touching it. It was time for drastic measures. According to my sister's e-mail the doctor prepared them for three different scenarios:
1) They would open up his leg and discover the infection was still only in the soft tissue, and not in the muscle as they suspected, and they could do a biopsy and stitch him back up. (45 minutes approx.)
2) They would open up his leg and discover that the infection had indeed gone into his muscle. They would remove all of the infected muscle as well as any infected tissue in the thigh, do extensive skin grafting and transfer him to St. Elizabeth's in Lincoln for recovery in the burn unit. (maybe an hour and a half)
3) They would open up his leg and discover the infection had done so much damage that the only option was to take the leg. (a couple hours at best)
They had already done a MRI looking for an abscess where they could drain the infection to help the antibiotic get through, but nothing showed up anywhere. Chris's foot and ankle, where it started, were swollen and beginning to turn black, but there hadn't been extensive change to make them believe there was anything happening other than the fact that his foot was "dying." All of the cultures they had done had plenty of time to "grow" something, but nothing was showing up. His blood tests were showing that his white blood cells were increasing...as was his fever. Because of all of this the doctors really were preparing Tami and Chris and the family for #3 above. They were truly expecting the worst when they opened up his leg.
So Thursday morning they prepped him for surgery and brought him in at 7:30 Central time. Tami waited with our Mom & Dad, Josh, Josiah, Beth & Jake, as well as Chris's brother and sister-in-law, Dan & Dusty, and I'm not sure who else was there....but they all waited.
An hour went by.
An hour and a half went by.
Tami left the room and when Dad went looking for her to see how she was doing he found her out in the hall crying softly by herself. When he walked up to her she turned and said, "Oh, Dad, it's been so long. They're taking his leg...I just know it. It's taking so long." Everyone was preparing for the worst.
Everyone, that is, except for the surgeon in the operating room with Chris! God had other plans for him....
An hour and 52 minutes after they rolled Chris into the operating room my sister left me a message saying he had just come out.
The surgeon explained that the infection was not in his thigh muscle as they had originally thought. Because of this they were able to get a good biopsy and a good look at the infection and stitch him back up. However, as the Dr. stood there looking at Chris's leg he said it just wasn't sitting well with him ~ he wanted to know where the source was. At this point they were concerned about the entire leg...and were really focusing on the upper leg. The foot was a concern, but it wasn't the main concern at this point so they weren't paying that much attention to it. But as the Dr. said...as he thought about the source he looked at Chris's foot and realized it was a lot worse than it was last night at 5:00. So he went to the foot and opened it up. He was surprised that the outer layer of skin was still pliable, but the interior layers were done...they were pretty much dead.
That wasn't the only surprise.
Inside his foot was a three inch abscess that wasn't there before. As he applied minimal pressure along the abscess he said the pus and infection simply poured out of his foot. Someone, I believe Mom & Dad, told me it was about a quart-sized fruit jar's worth that poured out of this abscess. (sorry, I know it's gross) They were then able to remove much of the infected tissue around his foot ~ and I believe (but don't quote me) they were able to leave all his muscle around the foot...if I'm remembering correctly my conversation with my sister she said they were able to leave all the meat.
Now, I don't know if that abscess was there and the MRI simply didn't pick it up, or it happened to grow overnight, but what I do know is that God heard and answered the prayers of all who are and have been praying for Chris. The God who sees all, knows all, hears all, and loves us like we've never been able to comprehend was directing the thoughts of that surgeon to look at something he wasn't there to deal with and see that it was worse than it had been 12 hours earlier. Most surgeons I know, although that's not many so this isn't that big of a "gotcha," don't go into surgery thinking, "well, if it's not there maybe we'll open up his liver and see if there's anything there. And if there's nothing there maybe we'll check this or that out too. Afterall, he's already under ~ why not do a little more checking under the hood while he's there?" This surgeon was preparing for a surgery on a thigh...or an amputation of the entire leg...not an abscess in a foot!
I could go on, but my husband just came out to the computer for the third time and gave me "that look" and said, "well, I guess I'll just say goodnight." So...I'll end this post with this...
Chris was up walking around for the first time in a week today! (He wasn't UP and walking around like he is fully recovered, but the Physical Therapists had him out of bed and moving ~ the beginning of recovery!) He's in good spirits and everyone is feeling good about the direction this is now taking.
Praise God for His mercies! They are new every morning...thought for the day....
Psalm 119: 105-112
"Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow Your righteous laws.
I have suffered much; preserve my life, O Lord, according to Your Word.
Accept, O Lord, the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me Your laws.
Though I constantly take my life in my hands, I will not forget Your law.
The wicked have set a snare for me, but I have not strayed from Your precepts.
Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart.
My heart is set on keeping Your decrees to the very end."
Praise God from whom all blessings flow...
Praise Him all creatures here below.
Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts,
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.....
...Amen.
Wednesday night the surgeon came in to look over Chris's leg ~ the infection had spread up to his derriere, and no antibiotic was touching it. It was time for drastic measures. According to my sister's e-mail the doctor prepared them for three different scenarios:
1) They would open up his leg and discover the infection was still only in the soft tissue, and not in the muscle as they suspected, and they could do a biopsy and stitch him back up. (45 minutes approx.)
2) They would open up his leg and discover that the infection had indeed gone into his muscle. They would remove all of the infected muscle as well as any infected tissue in the thigh, do extensive skin grafting and transfer him to St. Elizabeth's in Lincoln for recovery in the burn unit. (maybe an hour and a half)
3) They would open up his leg and discover the infection had done so much damage that the only option was to take the leg. (a couple hours at best)
They had already done a MRI looking for an abscess where they could drain the infection to help the antibiotic get through, but nothing showed up anywhere. Chris's foot and ankle, where it started, were swollen and beginning to turn black, but there hadn't been extensive change to make them believe there was anything happening other than the fact that his foot was "dying." All of the cultures they had done had plenty of time to "grow" something, but nothing was showing up. His blood tests were showing that his white blood cells were increasing...as was his fever. Because of all of this the doctors really were preparing Tami and Chris and the family for #3 above. They were truly expecting the worst when they opened up his leg.
So Thursday morning they prepped him for surgery and brought him in at 7:30 Central time. Tami waited with our Mom & Dad, Josh, Josiah, Beth & Jake, as well as Chris's brother and sister-in-law, Dan & Dusty, and I'm not sure who else was there....but they all waited.
An hour went by.
An hour and a half went by.
Tami left the room and when Dad went looking for her to see how she was doing he found her out in the hall crying softly by herself. When he walked up to her she turned and said, "Oh, Dad, it's been so long. They're taking his leg...I just know it. It's taking so long." Everyone was preparing for the worst.
Everyone, that is, except for the surgeon in the operating room with Chris! God had other plans for him....
An hour and 52 minutes after they rolled Chris into the operating room my sister left me a message saying he had just come out.
The surgeon explained that the infection was not in his thigh muscle as they had originally thought. Because of this they were able to get a good biopsy and a good look at the infection and stitch him back up. However, as the Dr. stood there looking at Chris's leg he said it just wasn't sitting well with him ~ he wanted to know where the source was. At this point they were concerned about the entire leg...and were really focusing on the upper leg. The foot was a concern, but it wasn't the main concern at this point so they weren't paying that much attention to it. But as the Dr. said...as he thought about the source he looked at Chris's foot and realized it was a lot worse than it was last night at 5:00. So he went to the foot and opened it up. He was surprised that the outer layer of skin was still pliable, but the interior layers were done...they were pretty much dead.
That wasn't the only surprise.
Inside his foot was a three inch abscess that wasn't there before. As he applied minimal pressure along the abscess he said the pus and infection simply poured out of his foot. Someone, I believe Mom & Dad, told me it was about a quart-sized fruit jar's worth that poured out of this abscess. (sorry, I know it's gross) They were then able to remove much of the infected tissue around his foot ~ and I believe (but don't quote me) they were able to leave all his muscle around the foot...if I'm remembering correctly my conversation with my sister she said they were able to leave all the meat.
Now, I don't know if that abscess was there and the MRI simply didn't pick it up, or it happened to grow overnight, but what I do know is that God heard and answered the prayers of all who are and have been praying for Chris. The God who sees all, knows all, hears all, and loves us like we've never been able to comprehend was directing the thoughts of that surgeon to look at something he wasn't there to deal with and see that it was worse than it had been 12 hours earlier. Most surgeons I know, although that's not many so this isn't that big of a "gotcha," don't go into surgery thinking, "well, if it's not there maybe we'll open up his liver and see if there's anything there. And if there's nothing there maybe we'll check this or that out too. Afterall, he's already under ~ why not do a little more checking under the hood while he's there?" This surgeon was preparing for a surgery on a thigh...or an amputation of the entire leg...not an abscess in a foot!
I could go on, but my husband just came out to the computer for the third time and gave me "that look" and said, "well, I guess I'll just say goodnight." So...I'll end this post with this...
Chris was up walking around for the first time in a week today! (He wasn't UP and walking around like he is fully recovered, but the Physical Therapists had him out of bed and moving ~ the beginning of recovery!) He's in good spirits and everyone is feeling good about the direction this is now taking.
Praise God for His mercies! They are new every morning...thought for the day....
Psalm 119: 105-112
"Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow Your righteous laws.
I have suffered much; preserve my life, O Lord, according to Your Word.
Accept, O Lord, the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me Your laws.
Though I constantly take my life in my hands, I will not forget Your law.
The wicked have set a snare for me, but I have not strayed from Your precepts.
Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart.
My heart is set on keeping Your decrees to the very end."
Praise God from whom all blessings flow...
Praise Him all creatures here below.
Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts,
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.....
...Amen.